Presented by Julie A. Bonde
I am
an experienced workshop/retreat leader and speaker. I am also a certified
spiritual director. I am comfortable working with both small and large groups
and varying ages. My favorite topics to speak on (share about) are prayer, the
practice of journal keeping, the presence of God in our grief and finding
better relationships by learning better listening skills. There is a cross-over
between these topics but enough material within each focus to make it worthwhile
to do them separately. It is my experience that growing in faith sometimes
requires time to learn some very practical and tangible ways to approach our
relationship with God. We are all different so we need different ways to
approach this very precious relationship. And even within our own preferences,
there are times we need quiet reflection and times we need action and movement.
I look forward to sharing the wondrous and generous grace of God’s abundant
love and patience for us as we grow.
With this purpose in
mind, here are some workshops and/or retreats and even a service project that
will offer opportunities for you to grow deeper in faith. Also, I love to collaborate so if you’d like
to partner with me on any of these, adding in your own ideas, please let me
know.
Thanks for sharing your time,
Julie A. Bonde
Writing as Spiritual Practice
or Spiritual Journaling
(4 to 8 hour workshop or
4 week series)
I
will guide participants through a variety of writing exercises designed to help
the individual access the wisdom and truth within their own experience of life.
All writing levels are welcome. This workshop is about finding expression and
wisdom; not about becoming published authors.
The
activity is appropriate for high school kids and maybe middle school as well as
adults. The teenage years are a wonderful time to get started on journaling. In
fact, I began my own writing journey when I was 13. And it is such a great way
to approach spiritual discernment and prayer.
The Dragonfly Project:
a group service project.
(1 to 3 hours)
This non-profit sends out condolence cards with the dragonfly
story and dragonfly key chains to people who are grieving; usually long after
others have stopped sending cards. This activity is appropriate for ages 7 to
100...all skill levels can be involved.
I will tell my miracle story, "The Miracle that Came in the
Mail," which tells how the death our 11-year-old son ultimately inspired another
11-year-old to start this hope-filled project. Then we will work together as a
group to assemble key chains and stuff envelopes with condolence cards. You
provide a room and tables to work on and if possible a way to show a power
point slideshow. I bring all the materials need to get the work done.
Donations from your organization or group to the Dragonfly Project
are appreciated.
Prayer Unlimited
(2-hour workshop, 6-week series, or
full weekend retreat)
Often we find ourselves longing to grow deeper in our prayer
life but we just don’t know how and we find prayer a daunting task. I will lead the group through a variety of
prayer exercises, e.g. movement, singing, writing, collage, stillness,
gratitude, etc.). When we discover that all of life can be a prayer, that each
of us can pray and hear God’s whispers, then praying constantly is not only
easy, it is enjoyable.
This is an activity that can be done with adults (both men and
women) and also with youth. It is also a wonderful activity for multi-generational
groups or families. It could be a great way to help families practice their
faith together.
Listening with your
Heart
(Possibly a 1-hour introduction followed by a 3 to 5 week series or a 2 to 3-hour workshop)
At the core of every healthy relationship are good listening
skills but even the best of us have learned bad habits. And some of us have no
idea how to be fully present and really listen. During this workshop, I will
guide you through exercises and conversations to help you improve the way you
listen to yourself, to others and to God. There will be some overlap with other
“active listening” workshops but we will also go deeper addressing the
importance of listening to self and to God within the context of our
conversations.
This workshop is currently only being offered to adults. In
time, I hope to develop the curriculum to fit youth as well.
Other additional
offerings:
Song
Leadership:
if your group would also like some singing as part of the event, I am able to
lead songs either without accompaniment or with guitar. Singing may also be included
as part of the prayer or listening workshops.
Worship
Leadership:
I have experience designing and leading worship and would be comfortable either
creating or helping to create a worship experience as part of your retreat.
